The Bradford City left-back didn't garner any game time during last week’s shock 2-0 2018 FIFA World Cup loss to Jordan in Amman, but four days in camp with the Socceroos in the presence of Tim Cahill and co. has heightened his desire to squeeze every last drop of fulfilment from his late blooming career.
Meredith, 27, swaps the adventure of Amman for down-to-earth Doncaster on Sunday (AEDT) as he returns to action for a Bantams side needing points to climb away from the lower reaches of League One.
But there’s also a bigger picture in mind.
"The experience of being involved with the national team has given me a new spark, and a new motivation to go on to bigger and better things," Meredith said.
"It’s matured me a little bit, the experience of being around players like Tim Cahill and seeing how they are and how professional they are.
"Being around those types of individuals, and being in such a professional set up, has made me want to be a bit better in everything I do, on and off the field. I want to now push myself that little but more."
To that end, Meredith is out to land Bradford's player of the month award for October – he is currently sitting second in the rankings – by continuing to produce the high-energy performances that got him noticed by Ange Postecoglou in the first place.
"It was like a dream come true to be involved and a part of the squad," Meredith said.
"The professionalism was right up there ... I've never seen anything like it before. They are across everything from your diet, your sleep patterns. They are on top of everything and really look after players.
"The training was really sharp. You can tell from the way Ange likes to play football.
"It’s almost like total football, a fast moving and high percentage passing game.
"I loved the training, at first I had to adjust to a different routine to what I am used to at Bradford, and to get know the other boys, how they play, how the coach wants you to play and how to act around camp.
"I felt I fitted in well ... I got on well with the boys and felt like I did what was asked of me.
"Hopefully I can keep working hard and put the performances in for Bradford and earn another call up."
While Australia stumbled against Jordan, Meredith saw no cause for alarm.
"We dominated the match but they got the breaks when they needed and we just couldn’t do enough in the end," he said.
"It just wasn’t falling for us but I believe we were the better team and had done everything correctly in preparation for the game.
"It was one of those nights that that the ball just didn’t sit for us.
"We have a lot of quality in the team and it’s our first loss in the group and apart from that game there’s really good signs."
The Socceroos will have the opportunity to atone for the loss to Jordan when they face Kyrgyzstan on 12 November in Canberra, on the Road to Russia.
